Kickstarter

Ok, this might be a Kickstarter first!  I am actually showing you the film I will be making BEFORE I make it.  The video I've made isn't a typical video where the filmmaker introduces themselves (you can learn all about me on RussellCostanzo.com), but instead I made a Pre-Visualization video of the film using a storyboard program.

I've literally designed every single shot in the film and with my 12+ years of editing skill I put the boards together and created a rough sketch of what the film will ultimately turn out to be!

THE STORY

"Johnny Roberts' Blues:  The Rise & Fall of a Blues-singing, White, Boy" is a fantastical tale steeped in the classic blues mythology of an identity being lost and found again.
Johnny's lost at sea in a stifling suburban landscape. He's got a terrible feeling
that he was born in the wrong place, at the wrong time, to the wrong parents.
And so he embarks on a life-changing sojourn to find his true self.

JRB is a story about growing up, finding yourself, rebelling against repression, and a need for authenticity in an alarmingly plastic society.

THE BLUES

Why the Blues?  Oh man, how much time ya got?  The blues isn't a genre of music, it's a lifestyle.  It's an edge, it's a political statement, it's plain and simply a DNA structure.  When you listen to the blues you can actually feel yourself deepening (perhaps only temporarily, but still!).

Have you ever listened to Mississippi John Hurt?  He'll put a smile on your face.  How about "Where Did You Sleep Last Night" by LeadBelly?  It'll put the fear of God in you. (even if you're an atheist!)  Blind Willie Johnson will transport you in time, I can guarantee you that.

If you want to learn more about the film and some inspirations, go to http://www.russellcostanzo.com/johnny-roberts-blues.html

KICKSTARTER - WHAT IS IT?

This is an amazing crowdsourcing site that allows users to gather their friends, family, and industry contacts to one main location to look at a particular project, and if they're feeling generous, help make the project a reality.

There are MULTIPLE REWARD LEVELS, each one promising different "rewards" per your donation.  It's just a small gesture to give back to those who are helping out.

The catch:  on your end there is none.  On my end, if I don't hit my target amount ($20k), I GET NOTHING.  So I had to choose the absolute LOWEST AMOUNT I thought I could make this film for.

BUDGET

Which brings us to the $20k.  After doing this for 12+ years i can safely tell you that this film cannot be done of the high level of quality that I've set for myself, for any less than $18k.  The other $2k equals the 10% that Kickstarter and the credit cards will get for these transactions.

So it's a 6 day shoot, with a cast & crew of 20 - they all need to eat, twice a day for 6 days!  And we have to drive people to and from set for a whole week, and all of the props and wardrobe, for an entire week!  So it's van rentals and gas and tolls, and food and gear and lights and as you can imagine that $20k gets spent very quickly!

And don't forget about insurance, which we HAVE to get, and locations, which always cost.  Maybe you can help me get the locations:  I need a bingo hall, a grammar school classroom, a saloon, a freight train, a suburban house.  It just goes on and on!

But just to be clear, the $20K is NOT going to me.  I'm getting just 3% of it.  3% for writing, producing, directing, and editing the film.  So the other 97% will be spent on everything else.  If you'd like I will send you a detailed budget of exactly where ALL of the money will be spent.

REWARDS

Here is a quick overview:

* FRAMES - i got this from Ryan Koo (the reigning Prince of Kickstarter!) - i've broken the 10-minute film down into how many frames that is (24 frames per second x 60 seconds a minute x 10 minutes) - so a $12.50 donation will afford me 9 frames of my film! - And so I will send you the 9 UNIQUE frames you bought.  The first donation gets the first frames of the film and so on until the entire film is paid for!  Pretty cool.

* FULL HD download of the film in whatever format you'd like

* a "Founding Producer" credit - for $200 or more

* a Personalized Playlist of songs that I will put together for you where my singular goal is to either convert you to LIVE the blues - or to potentially share with another Blues lover the songs that got me hooked

* a visit to the set and invite to the premiere screening

* a role as an extra!

btw, these rewards are exponential, so every time you step up a level you get the new stuff as well as EVERYTHING else on the levels beneath it